Climbers to Fight Cancer at SLC Climb-A-Thon

Climbers at the HERA Ovarian Cancer Foudation Climb For Life will be raising money for ovarian cancer research by climbing cliffs around Salt Lake City, Utah. The top fundraiser will get a package that includes a set of new climbing gear and a VW Westfalia camper rental to explore the world-class climbing destinations that dot Utah's geography.

Salt Lake City, USA (PRWEB) August 28, 2005 -- You have probably participated in or donated to read-a-thons and walk-a-thons to benefit schools or charities. In these events, each participant finds donors to donate a certain amount of money for each page read or mile walked etc. From September 15-18, 2005 rock climbers will be putting a gravity-defying twist on the old fundraising tactic and will be logging vertical feet to raise money at the 2005 HERA Ovarian Cancer Climb 4 Life.

The person who raises the most money will take home a slew of new gear from top manufacturers like Black Diamond Equipment, Patagonia, and the North Face which they will get to put to the test as they travel around to the world class climbing destinations in Utah in a VW Westfalia Camper rental donated by Western Road Trips (www.westernroadtrips.com)in Salt Lake City.

Last year's top fund raiser was Lisa Curly who came all the way from Chicago, Illinois and single handedly (don't worry, she used two hands used while climbing) raised $5,000 of the $60,000 event total. All in all participants climbed over 100,000 vertical feet of rock collectively and return visitors hope to top that lofty goal this year.

The 2005 HERA Ovarian Cancer Climb 4 Life will be attended by climbers from around the country. According to Ms. Patrick of Colorado, "About 75 percent of the particpants fly in for the event because of the unique opportunity to climb and mingle with some of the best climbers in the country . . ." Many of whom call Salt Lake City home because of the abundance of quality climbing that lies so close to a nice urban environment.

These same climbers will be presenting clinics that will help good climbers become better climbers. Just like basketball fundamentals include dribbling, passing and shooting, climbing fundamentals include balance, footwork, mind control, and endurance. Each of these are crucial for a successful climb or "send". A "send" is a slang term used by many climbers to describe a successful climb where they climbed from the ground to the top of the route (the designated path up the rock) without falling or hanging on the rope. "For climbers this is like having a weekend training session with Michael Jordan and every member of all the dreamteams present as coaches." said Pete Van Slooten, owner of Western Road Trips, an event sponsor.

Other than fundraising, this is not a competetive climbing event so climbers of all levels can participate and climb the amazingly varried cliffs around Salt Lake City. There will even be classes and equipment available for those who are new climbers or have never tried the sport before.

Van Slooten, a climbing veteran of many years points out that, "Climbing is great because someone who has been climbing for ten years still gets the same feeling after sending a hard route as the new climber who just sent their first easy one. There is always something a little harder to shoot for."

Speaking of hard climbs, another highlight of the event will be watching the pros delicately stick to smooth cliff faces and dangle from improbably overhanging cave walls as they climb routes that only the upper eschelon of climbers can ascend.

The event is centered around climbing but will also include free Yoga classes for participants each morning by instructors from Centered City Yoga and free, much needed, massages in the afternoon. In the evening there are social events including the Get Reel film festival at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (this event is open to the public for a $10 donation) and a Salsa party complete with instructors because climbers are not known for their ability to dance in sync with a partner.

One of the best parts about the event is that the money earned goes directly to the cause. The HERA Foundation and the Climb for Life was started by Colorado climber and ovarian cancer survivor Sean Patrick who set up the foundation free of salaries and overhead so 90% of the money raised goes into programs to aide women and their families affected by the disease and to institutions like the Johns Hopkins to research effective treatments and prevention matters.

Though Ovarian Cancer is a disease affecting women, everyone is encouraged to participate in the 2005 Climb For Life. Everyone has a mother, wife, sister, girlfriend, grandmother, daughter, neice or other lady in their life that could be affected one day. The HERA foundation strives to make that day less likely. Non climbers can send their name or the name of a loved one affected by the disease up the cliffs with an attending climber for a $50 donation. To make these and other non-climber donations visit www.climb4life.org.

For more information or to register, visit www.climb4life.org.

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